The Tenants’ Union acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were the first sovereign Nations of the Australian continent and its adjacent islands, and that these lands were possessed under the laws and customs of those Nations. The lands were never ceded and always remain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Country. Our office is on the Country of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

We acknowledge that the land, sea, sky and waterways are of spiritual, social, cultural and economic importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and support their right to culture, language, land and various notions of self-determination.  

We acknowledge that as a result of government policies and practices, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have been dispossessed from Country without compensation.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are also over-represented in NSW renter households. We acknowledge the present and historical disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the role of government policies, past and present and racism throughout Australia in creating this disadvantage and the impact of this disadvantage on tenancy and housing issues.

We acknowledge that a lack of support for non-tenancy issues such as intergenerational trauma, mental health issues, financial hardship, substance dependence, family violence, and disabilities can often lead to an escalation of tenancy issues and result in tenants receiving termination notices and/or suffering other negative outcomes such as accruing large rent arrears.

We recognise, respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their communities and will work in partnership with them and their advocates to deliver appropriate advice and advocacy for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tenants.

The Tenants’ Union supports the reforms called for in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We actively support Aboriginal people in their struggle for Treaty, Voice and Truth. As a first step we support the establishment of a First Nations Voice, in a form determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and enshrined in the Constitution.

See also:

• Tenants' Union Reconciliation Action Plan
• Report: Aboriginal Housing and Housing Activism in NSW
• Aboriginal artworks commissioned by the Tenants' Union
• Map of Aboriginal Languages and Nations, with Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service offices
  Map used with permission, © Reconciliation NSW – of which the Tenants' Union is a proud member.